Approved verification: guidance and application form

Approved verifiers

Section 11A of the Weights and Measures Act, introduced by the Deregulation (Weights and Measures) Order 1999, enables manufacturers, installers and repairers of weighing and measuring equipment to pass as fit for use for trade or re-qualify certain equipment (as an alternative to your local Weights and Measures Inspector). The Legislative Reform (Verification of Weighing and Measuring Equipment) Order 2008 further amended the Weights and Measures Act 1985 to permit existing approved verifiers to conduct verification after the activity of adjustment.

Manufacturers, installers and repairers of weighing and measuring equipment can apply to the Secretary of State for approval under section 11A of the Act.

The approval system contains a requirement that the approved verifier possesses and operates an acceptable certified quality system. This must fully encompass the requirements of the legislation and the activities to ensure that equipment is correctly verified and necessary consumer protection is maintained.

Once granted approval, the approved verifier is subjected to regular audits, is limited to specific equipment types and can have approval suspended or withdrawn if found to be in breach of their approval conditions.

Download the guidance on becoming an approved verifier (PDF, 321 KB, 13 pages)

Verification stickers correspondence and pricing

Apply to become an approved verifier

Manufacturers, installers and repairers of weighing and measuring equipment seeking an approval to conduct verification (passing as fit for use for trade or re-qualification) need to submit a completed application form for approved verifier status with their supporting documentation.

Download the application form for approved verifier status (ODT, 47.5 KB)

Identify an approved verifier

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) maintains an up to date register of all approved verifiers and an up to date list of authorised stamp numbers.

Approved Verifiers Register - March 2025 (PDF, 193218 KB, 3 pages)

Authorised stamp numbers

Reporting issues with approved verifiers

Approved verifiers must comply with the conditions of their approvals. Any concerns discovered by inspectors or verifiers of equipment should be notified to OPSS for investigation.

Please supply enough information, including a brief description of the events, the approved verifier concerned, the point in issue and actions taken to date.

Issues should be reported by email: opss.enquiries@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Example notification formats for use by fuel dispenser approved verifiers

These are for download, editing and use by approved verifiers:

Notification template - UK equipment (ODT, 17.5 KB)

Notification template - CE / UKCA / CE UKNI instruments (ODT, 17.4 KB)